NICKY Butt may not sever his ties with United despite losing patience and slapping in a transfer request, according to Eric Harrison.

Harrison, the man who fashioned the famous Class of 92, believes that the player has such a strong bond with United that his demand may prove not to be final.

"I have a gut feeling that he will still stay," claimed the former Old Trafford kids' guru.

Model pro

"I can't explain why, but I am just not totally convinced that Nicky will leave. I certainly hope I am right with that feeling because I don't want to see him move from Old Trafford.

"Nicky was the first of that 1992 set of youngsters to make it into the first team and he has never, ever let United down since.

"From day one to today Nicky has been a terrific professional and has been a fantastic player for the Reds," Harrison added.

"I have always said even from his early days in the youth teams that in your hardest games then I would want Nicky Butt in my side.

"I can't praise him highly enough. He's a terrific lad. As well as footballing ability I always look at the character of players and Nicky is a top man.

"He has always had his feet on the ground and is as solid as a rock."

Butt made up his mind to go following a frustrating season that has seen him fail to dislodge Phil Neville from midfield and Kleberson, in particular, among the imports being given a chance ahead of him.

Last week Sir Alex Ferguson further emphasised his desire to bolster the early 20s age bracket by capturing Celtic's Liam Miller for next season on a pre-contract agreement.

Wrench

"I can understand Nicky's decision," Harrison added.

"He is no different to any other footballer who wants to play regularly. Any player worth his salt would be thinking the same way.

"It is going to be an incredible wrench for him though after being at the club for 14 years. When you have been at the club so long and have grown up with a bunch of players it will be extremely hard to go.

"Those lads are very, very close. In training and in matches that shows and they are also great friends off the field."

Last summer David Beckham became the first to leave the '92 Youth Cup winning group that contained Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville.

Harrison, however, doesn't believe the Beckham departure to Real Madrid will inevitably begin an exodus.

Following suit

"I never thought it would set the others off at all and in an ideal world I don't think Nicky would be considering following suit," he said.

"I know a lot of people speculated that once one left like David the others would quickly follow. But I never believed that.This is just an individual case because of Nicky's situation."